F-GAS regulations for purchases of refrigerant gas

Regulation (EU) 2024/573 | F-Gas
The new Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases) repeals and replaces the previous Regulation (EU) 517/2014.

Who are “operators”?
“Operator” is the undertaking that exercises effective control over the technical functioning of the products, equipment, or systems covered by this Regulation, or the owner, where the Member State holds the owner responsible for the operator’s obligations in specific circumstances.

Therefore: the owner or other natural or legal person who exercises effective control over the technical functioning of the products and equipment.

What equipment is affected?
The equipment covered by the Regulation is the following:

stationary refrigeration equipment;
stationary air conditioning equipment;
stationary heat pumps;
stationary fire protection equipment;
cold storage rooms of refrigerated trucks and trailers;
electrical switchgear.
What are the obligations of operators?

First of all, it’s important to clarify that a company or entity that claims to be an “operator” of equipment containing F-Gas is not required to register or obtain certification.

What they certainly must do is the following: for installation, maintenance, repair, assistance, and dismantling of equipment containing F-Gas, as well as for leak detection and recovery of the F-Gas contained therein, operators are required to:

Use their own registered and certified personnel or
rely on certified individuals or companies.
WARNING! It is therefore the operator’s responsibility to ensure that they have entrusted the operations to suitable individuals and to verify that the operations have been completed (leak detection, records).

Activities for which a license is NOT required:

– RESALE OF F-GAS TO THIRD PARTIES

– FIRST-CHARGE SYSTEMS (MANUFACTURER/PRODUCER/OEM)

– EXPORTER OF F-GAS OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY